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Festa della Liberazione: Italian Liberation Day

On April 25, 1945, Italy was liberated from the grip of Mussolini and the German-Fascist regime. The country celebrates this historic day with parades, ceremonies, and speeches. Rome, as the capital, enjoys the biggest celebrations, including a visit by the President to the Ardeatine Caves Mausoleum, where the Nazis massacred 335 Romans in 1944. Dream of Italy is a membership ...

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Spello (Umbria): Flowering Windows, Balconies and Alleys

As if the the intimate vie in Italy couldn't get any more charming, the streets in the historic center of the quaint town of Spello in Umbria are filled with flowers for the infiorata di Spello. Residents decorate their window sills, balconies, staircases, alleys and corners in a blossoming botanical display for everyone to enjoy all leading up to the main ...

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Manarola (Liguria): World’s Largest Nativity Scene

Manarola Manarola, La Spezia, Italy

You've heard about the world's largest Christmas tree lighting in Umbria and now there is the world's largest presepe in the town of Manarola, one of the five towns in the Cinque Terre. The project was realized by Mario Andreoli, a retired railway worker who has dedicated over 30 years to the installation and in 2007 it was added to the ...

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Gubbio (Umbria): Corso dei Ceri (Running of the Candles)

Unnamed Venue Gubbio, Italy

One of Italy's oldest and weirdest traditions, Corso dei Ceri, or "Running of the Candles," takes place once a year on May 15th in the picturesque Umbrian town of Gubbio. Three "candles" (actually 30 foot-high wooden pillars) crowned with statues of saints are paraded around the town by "ceraiuoli" and then run up the streets of Gubbio to the Basilica of ...

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Gubbio Crossbow Tournament

Piazza Grande Piazza Grande, Gubbio, Italy

Every May since 1594, on the last Sunday of the month, the towns of Gubbio and Sansepolcro have competed against each other with crossbows. A nod to Italy's medieval past, the competitors dress up in period costumes and battle to win a gold, silver, or bronze crossbow. Access 160 Issues of Our Award-Winning Travel Publication. Get Insider Help Planning Your ...

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Cantine Aperte (Open Cellars)

Since 1993, vineyards all over Italy have opened their cellars on the last Sunday in May (or, in some regions, the first two days of June), encouraging direct contact with wine lovers. From tastings to tours in the vineyards, there will be many initiatives from the Alps to Mount Etna that will celebrate wine. Open Cellars has over time become ...

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Pisa: Giugno Pisano

Unnamed Venue Pisa, Italy

Giugno Pisano is a month of festivals in Pisa in June. Among the events are openings of the town's churches at night, the Palio di San Ranieri, the Battle of the Bridge on the last Saturday in June, the Regatta every four years (the last one was held in 2015), a night opening of the Leaning Tower, and Games on ...

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Rome: Fantafestival

Multisala Barberini Rome, Italy

Rome's Fantafestival is dedicated to fantastic and horror cinema. The location at Multisala Barberini is confirmed and so are the "Golden Bats" for the best picture and short in both the Italian and international categories. There will once again be the Z-Day, with a zombie-walk along the streets of Rome. Note: Dates have not been confirmed; please check the official ...

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Bologna: Under the Stars of Cinema

Piazza Maggiore Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Bologna has got some spectacular spaces from le due torri, to the garden of Margherita, and under the porticos that lead you to a panoramic view of the city from the Church of San Luca. During the summer though, Piazza Maggiore offers yet another unique space with film screenings of the classics. You can view the full schedule on the official ...

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Pienza (Tuscany): Torneo di Panforte

Pienza Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Have you ever been told not to play with your food? Well the people in Pienza have, and they don't care! Here, just to the south of Siena, folks continue to keep the holiday spirit going with a friendly competition involving the throwing of panforte. This tournament takes place every year from December 26th - 30th in Pienza's city hall where ...

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